The historic bells of an Almondsbury church are set to be restored.

Dating from 1601, the eight bells at St Mary’s Church have been removed and transported to Loughborough.

They will spend three months at Taylor’s Bellfoundry to address the wear and tear accumulated over 100 years since the last major overhaul to ensure the bells are safe to ring for many years to come.

The removal of the bells was a complex process with the heaviest bell weighing more than a tonne and the eight bells having a combined weight of 4.6 tonnes.

New trapdoors have had to be constructed and part of the bell frame which supports the bells has been removed to allow the bells to be moved.

Refurbishment will cost almost £100,000.

The church received a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund of £65,000 but fundraised to find the remaining money.

Part of the efforts saw pupils from Marlwood and New Siblands schools join forces with the English Touring Opera to create a production on the theme of The Almondsbury Bells.

Almondsbury bell ringer Dr. Clare Jefferis spoke about the importance of protecting what she called her ‘unusual hobby’.

“It’s a really traditional part of English culture. It would be a shame for it to die,” she said.

The 15 ringers and five regular visitors at St Mary’s range from 13 to well into retirement age.

Clare explained ringers who are visiting the area call in to have a ring and sign the visitors book.

“We recently had someone from Bedfordshire turn up on a Sunday morning. He was here for a Marlwood School reunion, and just called in.

“It can be a bit like trainspotting; there’s a book by Ron Dove that lists all the church bells in the world and people tick them off when they’ve rung there.”

“We ring for Sunday services and special services each week, and practise once a week.”

They also ring for national events such as the Queen’s Jubilee and Remembrance Sunday.

To find out more about the restoration project go to almondsburychurch.org.uk/bell-ringers/bell-restoration-project/.